Impact of atopy on the severity and extrapulmonary manifestations of childhood Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

OBJECTIVES: The impact of atopy on disease severity and extrapulmonary manifestations in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia is unknown. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with MP pneumonia between January 2016, and December 2017, were enrolled in this study. A total of 150 MP pneumonia patients were enrolled at diagnosis and divided into the atopic group (n = 48) and the nonatopic group (n = 102). Furthermore, these patients were also assessed after being divided into the pulmonary group (n = 120) and the extrapulmonary group (n = 30). Clinical characteristics, respiratory disease severity, any allergy history, and specific allergen sensitizations were collected from all patients. The serum interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) and total immunoglobulin E (lgE) levels were also measured. RESULTS: More children in the atopic group than those in the nonatopic group presented with severe MP pneumonia, tachypnea, oxygen therapy, steroid treatment, atopic conditions including asthma attack, a previous history of asthma, decreased IL‐17 levels, and increased IgE levels (all P < 0.05). When compared with those in the pulmonary group, the patients in the extrapulmonary group showed higher percentages of atopy, higher total lgE levels, and lower IL‐17 levels (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Atopy may be a risk factor for disease severity and extrapulmonary manifestations in children with MP pneumonia.